TCU News: Omar Manning’s Motivation, Basketball Seeks Signature Win

Basketball:

TCU, Dixon on West Virginia matchup: ‘Biggest game of the year’ | The Star-Telegram

No excuses Frog fam, this team needs YOU there Saturday afternoon.

“We know it’s a very important game,” freshman guard Desmond Bane said of the 1 p.m. tip against the Mountaineers at Schollmaier Arena. “A lot’s at stake. We’re trying to get to the national tournament. We know we’ve got to win a few games down the stretch, given how we’ve performed over the last few.”

TCU’s Brodziansky, Williams receive All-Big 12 academic honors | The Star-Telegram

Senior leader Mike Williams and All-Big 12 candidate Vlad Brodziansky are taking care of business in the classroom, too.

Brodziansky, a junior majoring in psychology, was one of 17 first-team members. The honor requires a GPA of 3.2 or better.

Williams, a senior, earned second-team honors, given to players with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.19. Williams is majoring in supply and value chain management.

Bubble Banter: California, TCU and Syracuse with critical games tonight | NBC Sports

TCU remains in the “winners” category based on the fact that the loss was at Kansas, and because fellow conference member K State fell as well. The Frogs grip on an NCAA spot is tenuous at best, but they could help their cause significantly with a win Saturday.

TCU (RPI: 54, KenPom: 43, play-in game): There’s no shame in losing at Kansas, which TCU did on Wednesday night, but they did miss out on an opportunity to land a résumé-defining win. The Horned Frogs are just 2-8 against the top 50 with just five top 100 wins, which isn’t a bad profile but it is one that lacks enough depth to feel anywhere near comfortable.

Baseball:

How TCU’s two-catcher plan is working so far (spoiler: just fine) | The Star-Telegram

This speaks to the confidence that Schloss has in his players, and how it transfers to them. It is also a testament to the humility of his team - and how focused they are on the singular goal of winning. In that regard, Humphrey’s is a perfect fit. And he’s been great in his opportunities so far this season.

“I would think I was going to get playing time just to give him a break, but I struggled through the fall,” Humphreys said. “At the beginning of the season, I was thinking, ‘There’s no way — they can’t afford to put me back there.’ But they gave me that shot, and apparently they feel comfortable with me back there, so I’m just going to take it and run with it.”

Football:

Silent Motivation: TCU WR Signee Omar Manning Inspired By His Deaf Mother | Bleacher Report

If you don’t know much about Omar Manning off the field, this is a great place to start. He’s a pretty impressive young man, starting with the unique and beautiful relationship he has with his mother.

From an inspirational perspective contributing to his success, it all starts with his mother, who he said has lived her entire life deaf.

"Whenever something tough comes up, I think about her," Manning said. "She motivates me and pushes me. I know if she can go through that, I can go through whatever."

TCU, QB Shawn Robinson start spring ‘learning process’ on March 4 | The Star-Telegram

Robinson has come to campus, kept his head down, and worked. That’s all he needs to be doing.

“All they’ve been doing is running and lifting,” Patterson said. “He’s done everything school-wise. He and Wes, they won an award the other night. If they roll up their sleeves, if their name is not coming up, that’s a really good thing. Our offseason’s not an easy offseason to be a part of. They’ve been pushing through and doing their thing.”